You recognize that sensation when you’re 99% sure something’s a terrific concept, only to recognize later on … it was a complete dumpster fire? That’s specifically what happened when I made a decision to switch my whole agency over to GoHighLevel.
It looked shiny. It appeared revolutionary. Yet in reality? It turned into among the most unpleasant software choices I have actually made in over a decade of running my business.
So prior to you get on the GoHighLevel bandwagon, let me stroll you via exactly what decreased– since if you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for smarter, extra effective ways to grow your company. Just … not like this.
The Sexy All-in-One Pledge
Below’s things. When GoHighLevel hit the scene, it seemed like a dream come to life. A solitary system to manage your CRM, sales funnels, email campaigns, consultation reservations, automation, payments– you name it.
If you’ve ever before managed a Frankenstein pile of devices just to run your everyday, you know exactly how appealing the “all-in-one” pitch can be. I would certainly been making use of Keap for years (and loving it, honestly), however still– I obtained enticed in by the guarantee of simplifying everything under one roofing system.
And yeah, I’ll admit it: I had a bad case of shiny item disorder.
Why I Left Keap (A Device That Actually Worked)
Let me be genuine with you: Keap had not been damaged. It did everything I needed. It handled my e-mail automations, sales funnels, consultation organizing, invoicing– you call it. Certain, the user interface really felt a little outdated in position, and in some cases points took a couple of even more clicks than I liked, however hey, it worked.
So why adjustment?
Truthfully, I simply began questioning if I was losing out. GoHighLevel was cheaper (on the surface), offered much more features, and all the great marketers online appeared to be going crazy regarding it. FOMO is a heck of a medicine.
That interest price me more than just money– it cost me time, power, and comfort.
What It Cost Me to Switch
I went done in. Enrolled in the $297/month agency plan. Invest a solid 30 to 40 hours moving data, reconstructing workflows, and basically attempting to duplicate my whole Keap configuration inside GoHighLevel.
Here’s what I needed to relocate:
- 20,000+ e-mail customers
- Dozens of automations
- All client profiles and notes
- Stripe invoicing integration
- Whole funnel framework
- Customized kinds, landing pages, sets off … every little thing
Let’s not also speak about the lost efficiency during those couple of weeks. I was up to my eyeballs in Zapier workarounds, viewing tutorials, and attempting to figure out where the heck fundamental settings were.
And simply when I assumed things were functioning … they weren’t.
The Vermin Started Sneaking In
At first, every little thing looked okay. However after that, out of no place, individuals on my list began obtaining e-mails they weren’t intended to get. I’m talking completely unnecessary messages– sent in batches of 171 users at once. 3 days straight.
Overall disorder.
I reconstruct the automations from square one. Still happened. I spoke to assistance. They condemned “server problems.” However nothing made good sense, and the trouble really did not go away. Think of getting up every early morning questioning who your system may’ve spammed overnight.
That’s not simply bothersome– it threatens. When your entire brand name is built on count on, you can not manage to resemble an unaware amateur blasting the incorrect emails to the incorrect people.
Assistance? Yeah, Best Of Luck
Currently, I don’t expect excellence from any type of system. Pests happen. But when they do? I anticipate the support team to step up quick.
That really did not take place here.
Actions were obscure. Tickets went unanswered. I felt like I was yelling into the void while my organization burned. Meanwhile, every min I spent fixing was a min I had not been serving customers or expanding my company.
For a device that markets itself to serious business owners, GoHighLevel sure really did not treat me like one.
The User interface Was a Hot Mess
You ever utilize a tool and just really feel … lost? That was me inside GoHighLevel Agency Unlimited Plan.
The UX was confusing. Points were hidden in strange areas. Even simple tasks like editing a funnel or tweaking an email flow developed into a scavenger hunt.
And their funnel builder? Don’t also get me started. Want to alter item setups, web page designs, and general flow? Great– you’ll require to hunt through three various locations that make no sensible feeling. Fifty percent the moment, I could not also bear in mind where I ‘d clicked something 10 seconds previously.
It felt like making use of software built by engineers, for designers– not everyday company owner.
The “Cost effective” Plan That Obtained Genuine Pricey, Actual Rapid
Let’s chat cash.
One of GoHighLevel’s huge selling points is the price. I suggest, $97/month for all those features? Appears remarkable, best?
But here’s what they do not tell you:.
You pay extra per email if you utilize their SMTP.
You need to connect services like Mailgun or Twilio and manage their billing separately.
You’ll get arbitrary microcharges that aren’t clarified clearly.
Desire better email deliverability? That’s gon na cost you too.
By the time I added everything up, I was paying more than I had been with Keap. And becoming worse results.
That’s not a bargain– it’s just poor math.
My Email Metrics Tanked GoHighLevel Agency Unlimited Plan
The last straw? Watching my email open rates drop like a rock.
I ‘d been obtaining a solid 35% open price with Keap. My audience was involved, my automations were called in, and points simply worked.
After changing to GoHighLevel? Opens went down listed below 15%. Clicks were nearly nonexistent. Something was clearly off.
Possibly it was a deliverability problem. Perhaps the system was simply sending at hard times or not individualizing messages correctly. Whatever the cause, I wasn’t remaining to play detective while my listing rotted.
Lessons I Found Out the Hard Way
If you’re thinking about switching to GoHighLevel– or any type of brand-new system– right here’s what I wish someone had actually told me prior to I made the leap:.
1. Do Not Chase the Shiny Toy
It’s easy to obtain hyped concerning the latest “cutting edge” tool. However just because every person’s talking about something doesn’t indicate it’s right for you. If your current system is functioning, reconsider prior to blowing it up.
2. Worth Simplicity Over Features
A lot more isn’t constantly much better. A system with a clean, instinctive user interface will certainly save you time and headaches over time– even if it doesn’t have every feature imaginable.
3. Need Transparency
Concealed prices are the most awful. Select tools that are upfront concerning pricing, integrations, and limitations. You shouldn’t require a calculator and a thesaurus to comprehend your regular monthly bill.
4. Listen to Genuine Individuals (Not Just Online Marketers)
Inspect honest evaluations, user forums, and Reddit strings. Take notice of real customer experience– not simply slick sales pages.
Still Desire an All-in-One CRM? Here Are Much better Options
If you’re still on the hunt for a dependable, easy to use platform to run your service, I’ve checked a bunch. Below are a couple of I ‘d actually recommend:.
Keap— My present go-to. Effective automations, solid assistance, and it simply works. Well worth every penny.
HubSpot— Great for businesses that require scalability and progressed CRM features.
GreenRope— A solid all-in-one option for tiny to mid-sized services with strong reporting devices.
Monday.com— Superb for job management, team partnership, and sales pipe tracking.
Bonsai— Specifically great for consultants and service-based solopreneurs.
Conclusion
GoHighLevel might benefit some. However, for me? It was an aggravating, expensive experiment that I could not wait to finish.
So if you’re standing at the side, questioning whether to make the jump– concentrate. Ask on your own what’s actually not operating in your current arrangement. Do not burn your systems down even if something more recent and shinier turned up.
Stick to what works. Your sanity (and your clients) will thanks.